Wireless user based notification system

ABSTRACT

A group of wireless device users are notified of an event. A location data determination algorithm is provided to a wireless device, where the algorithm determines a frequency at which the device interacts with network elements to determine its location. The location data is stored in a notification server and used to identify a user at a specific location. When a governmental or commercial entity wishes to issue a notification, a message is provided to those users whose location is identified as being in an area defined by the entity.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the provisional applicationentitled “Wireless User Based Notification System”, Application No.60/814,254, filed Jun. 16, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to notification systems of the type usedto inform a number of users of a communications network of an emergencyor commercial opportunity, and more specifically, to a notificationsystem for use in a wireless network that more efficiently uses networkresources and infrastructure to provide location specific notifications.

There are many situations in which public safety or another publicinterest would benefit from notifying a number of people about an eventor expected event. For example, a government entity may wish to notifyall people living within some defined zone of an impending storm, aserious accident, or an activity that they need to be aware of. Further,a commercial entity may wish to inform a large number of people within acertain region of a commerce opportunity that may be of interest tothem. Thus, the area of location specific notifications is one ofinterest to both public agencies and commercial businesses.

As mobile wireless phones and technology have become adopted andutilized by a large percentage of people, they have been recognized as aconvenient and effective means for informing people of events orotherwise communicating with them. For example, in case of an emergency(criminal activity, weather event, serious accident, etc.), it would bebeneficial to be able to notify all or a large percentage of mobilephone users within a prescribed geographic area of the event.

Although a wide scale broadcast to all mobile phone numbers currentlywithin a specific area is theoretically possible, there are practicalreasons that make it inefficient or otherwise undesirable to implement.For example, at present only a network cell level broadcast is available(that is sending a message to all recipients within a cell), and eventhen only for certain network topologies (e.g., GSM) and/or messagedelivery options (e.g., SMS messages). This approach may lack theresolution required for an effective system and produce unwanted orirrelevant messages to a large number of users. Furthermore,implementing this approach requires equipment upgrades for somecarriers, and is not certain to be adopted by regulatory agencies.

A second approach to notification systems is one based on targeting themessage to a specific set of users, as opposed to a broadcast to allusers capable of receiving the message. In this approach, the set ofrecipients is determined based on a characteristic of a user other thantheir ability to receive a message broadcast within a cell sitereception zone. For example, a system may be based on registration by aset of users interested in receiving a message regarding a certain eventor topic. When an event of interest occurs, only those registered usersare sent a message. This approach has the disadvantage that since itrelies on a user to subscribe or register, not every user to whom themessage is relevant will receive it. This has serious ramifications if,for example, the message being provided relates to an emergencysituation or one in which all mobile phone users within a prescribedarea need to be informed of a situation (e.g., an AMBER Alert or othersuch indicator of potentially dangerous or criminal activity).Similarly, if the registration process involves providing the user'sresidence or work location, the method cannot have any greaterresolution than the data used to define that information. Furthermore,because each user is associated with a static location (e.g., a zipcode, a neighborhood, an address, etc.), notifications regarding thoselocations would be sent regardless of where the user is actuallylocated. The result may be a spamming effect in which a user receives alarge number notifications that go unread because most are deemedirrelevant.

Another method of providing a notification system involves the use ofnetwork probes. Using a network probe, a system can obtain user locationinformation by passively monitoring network location traffic to a homelocation register (HLR) or between other network components. Adisadvantage of such methods is that they require extensive use ofnetwork resources and increase the overall network traffic, therebycontributing to undesirable latency and network capacity issues. Inaddition, coordination of the various data sources and processingelements, and troubleshooting can be more than trivial problems.Furthermore, network probe methods introduce privacy issues as thesubscribers are unaware of the tracking of their location and messagingbehaviors.

The wireless industry plans to provide an SMS-based service that issimilar to the Wireless AMBER Alert service. As this solution still hassome disadvantages, it is not believed to be the optimal or long-termsolution. For example, an SMS-based solution utilizing existingcapabilities will suffer from disadvantages that include significantimpact on network congestion when an alert is sent, potential latency indelivery of messages, and a limitation on what type and how muchinformation can be provided. It is noted that an SMS-based service hasan advantage over certain possible solutions being considered because itis a capability that can be enabled in networks such as global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA),and integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN), and is available on alarge number of phones in use.

In order to address concerns regarding the impact of an alert system onwireless networks, the wireless industry has proposed that threespecific requirements be incorporated. First, that the system be opt-inbased on a specified zip code as with Wireless AMBER Alerts. While thiswill require that consumers affirmatively request the service, it alsomay, depending on the number of consumers that subscribe, help tocontrol impact on the network (while still potentially informingcitizens that wish to be notified via wireless phone who otherwise maynot be aware of an emergency). Combining this wireless service withalerts from other communications platforms may increase the likelihoodof a successful consumer notification.

The second requirement is that the interim service should only transmitPresidential or Governor-level messages for the present time. Again,this will limit the impact on the wireless network so that during timesof crises, the networks can be utilized by consumers, first responders,and those key government employees that rely upon Wireless PriorityService.

The third requirement is that government should commit to deliveringmessages to one point (e.g., network element or node) in the wirelessnetwork, as is the case with the existing Wireless AMBER Alert Program.It is hoped that by adopting these three requirements, governmenteffectively will balance the desire to send emergency alerts overmultiple communications platforms, including wireless, against the needto keep the wireless networks functioning efficiently during anemergency.

An effective notification or alert system offers many safety andcommercial benefits. However, while the currently proposed solutionshold promise, none are operational in wireless networks today. Inaddition, the proposed solutions suffer from one or more significantdisadvantages. Some of the solutions, as proposed, will require acomplete reworking of networks, some only work on certain platforms(CDMA vs. GSM vs. iDEN), some are not scalable to a nationwide level,and many would require consumers to change-out their handsets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A group of wireless device users are notified of an event. A locationdata determination algorithm is provided to a wireless device, where thealgorithm determines a frequency at which the device interacts withnetwork elements to determine its location. The location data is storedin a notification server and identifies a user at a specific location.When a governmental or commercial entity wishes to issue a notification,a message is provided to those users whose location is identified asbeing in an area defined by the entity.

In some embodiments, a method notifies a group of wireless device usersof an event. Each wireless device accesses a set of instructions thatact to control a location updating process for the wireless device.Location data for the wireless device is obtained in accordance with theset of instructions. The location data is provided to a notificationserver. The location data is stored in a spatial database. The spatialdatabase associates the location data with a geographic region.

A request is then received along with a description of a geographic areain which a notification message associated with the request is to bedistributed. The geographic area comprises at least a portion of atleast one geographic region. The description of the geographic area ismapped to the plurality of wireless devices using the location datastored in the spatial database. The mapping identifies the location ofthe wireless devices relative to the geographic area. At least one ofthe wireless devices is identified as being located within thegeographic area. The notification message is issued to each wirelessdevice identified as being located within the geographic area.

In some embodiments, a notification server is configured to receive arequest and a description of a geographic area in which a notificationmessage associated with the request is to be distributed. The geographicarea includes at least a portion of at least one geographic region. Thenotification server compares the description of the geographic area to aplurality of mobile devices using location data associated with eachmobile device. The comparison identifies the location of the mobiledevices relative to the geographic area. At least one mobile device isidentified as being located within the geographic area. The notificationserver issues the notification message to each mobile device identifiedas being located within the geographic area.

These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the components of an embodimentof the wireless user notification system of the present inventionsuitable for implementation as part of a CDMA or a GSM network.

FIG. 2 is a geographic illustration that shows the distribution ofmobile devices across an area in cell sectors and a notification areaidentified by a notifying entity.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing mobiledevice location information to a notification server.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for sending notificationmessages to users of a wireless system.

FIG. 5 is a signal call chart illustrating a method for sendingnotification messages to users of a wireless system in accordance with anotification server configured to determine mobile device location inaccordance with a basic resolution.

FIG. 6 is a signal call chart illustrating a method for sendingnotification messages to users of a wireless system in accordance with anotification server configured to determine mobile device location inaccordance with a low accuracy resolution.

FIG. 7 is a signal call chart illustrating a method for sendingnotification messages to users of a wireless system in accordance with anotification server configured to determine mobile device location inaccordance with a high accuracy resolution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the components of an embodimentof the wireless user notification system of the present inventionsuitable for implementation as part of a CDMA or a GSM network. Thewireless user notification system includes a notifying entity 100, anotification server 110, a short message service (SMS) center 120, aCDMA or GSM network 130, a communication tower 160, a mobile device 170(e.g., wireless handset), and a home location register (HLR) 195. TheCDMA network includes a mobile positioning center 135, a positiondetermining entity 140 and a mobile switching center (MSC) server 145.The GSM network includes an MSC server 145 (similar to the one used inthe CDMA network), a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) 150, aserving mobile location center (SMLC) 152, and a base station controller(BSC) 154.

The notifying entity 100 is any client that seeks to send a notificationmessage to a group of mobile devices. For example, the notifying entity100 could be an emergency alert system (EAS), or any governmental orcommercial entity. The notifying entity 100 is coupled to thenotification server 110 via a network 180 (e.g., the Internet). The SMScenter is coupled to the notification server 110, and is also coupled tothe MSC server 150 via a network 190 (e.g., a Signaling System #7Network). The CDMA or a GSM network 130 communicates with the mobiledevice 170 via the communication tower 160.

In the CDMA network, the mobile positioning center 135 is coupled to thenotification server 110, the positioning determining entity 140, the MSCserver 145 and the HLR 195, and the MSC server is coupled to thecommunication tower 160. In the GSM network, the MSC server 145 iscoupled to the GMLC 150, the SMLC 152 and the base station controller154. The base station controller 260 is coupled to the SMLC 152 and thecommunication tower 160. The GMLC 150 is coupled to the notificationserver 110 and the HLR 195.

The call flow in the CDMA or GSM network is described as follows. Themobile device 170 executes an application to register the mobile device170 with the notification server 110. Upon registration, the mobiledevice 170 performs a location fix and provides its location informationto the notification server 110. The notification server 110 downloads analgorithm to the mobile device 170 to indicate how often the mobiledevice 170 is to perform subsequent location fixes. The algorithm alsoinstructs the mobile device 170 which location determining method toexecute in order to obtain or trigger the location fix. The mobiledevice 170 initiates a location fix using the pre-programmed algorithm.The mobile device periodically performs a location fix such that thenotification server 110 maintains current information about theapproximate location of the mobile device 170. Thus, a notificationmessage can be sent to the mobile device 170 using the best deliverymethod available when a notification alert is issued. In someembodiments, the notification server 110 may dictate the quality ofservice (QOS) for the location fix. For example, the location fix mayidentify the approximate location of the mobile device within 200meters.

The purpose of the algorithm is to distribute the location fixes in ageographic area so as to ensure that there is minimal (or at leastnon-detrimental) impact to the network infrastructure. The algorithm isstored on the mobile device 170, but may be updated via over-the-airprovisioning protocols, messaging (e.g., SMS), or other known methods.For example, the notification server 110 may update the algorithm inresponse to the occurrence of a new event. The algorithm may be updatedmanually or automatically. The notification server 110 may automaticallyupdate the algorithm using scripts stored in the notification server110. The scripts are associated with certain events such that a key wordassociated with an event in a notification request would triggerexecution of the corresponding script. Furthermore, multiple algorithmsmay be stored on the mobile device 170 such that the mobile device 170is configured to report its location based on multiple scenarios with adifferent reporting schedule for each scenario. In some embodiments, thealgorithm allows a carrier to notify users based on non-geographiccriteria (e.g., user characteristics or a user profile). Thesecharacteristics or profile data may be stored in the notification server110.

The notification server 110 receives the mobile device location updateeither via the MPC 135 (in the CDMA network), the GMLC 150 (in the GSMnetwork), or the SMS center 120 (or some other suitable messaging mode).The notification server 110 then stores the mobile device location datain a spatial database. Thus, the notification server 110 is continuallyupdated regarding the location of the mobile device 170.

The notifying entity 100 sends a notification request to thenotification server 110. The notifying entity 100 may send thenotification request in response to an occurrence of an event of whichusers are to be notified (e.g., a fire, a chemical spill, a hostagesituation, etc.). The notifying entity 100 identifies the area in whichusers are to be notified (i.e., the notification area). In someembodiments, the notifying entity 100 generates a polygon which definesthe geographic boundary of the notification area. For example, thenotification request may be a shape file (e.g., an Arch View Shape file,or another representation of a boundary shape that defines the regioninside which users are to be notified). The notification request mayalso include the content of the notification and an urgency level of thenotification request (e.g., high for an emergency, low for a commercialactivity, medium for weather update, etc.). In some embodiments, thenotification request is a common alerting protocol (CAP) message thatallows a warning message to be consistently disseminated simultaneouslyover many warning systems to many applications.

The notification server 110 processes the notification request bymatching the mobile device location information in the spatial databaseto the notification area described in the notification request. In otherwords, the notification server 110 identifies which mobile devices areregistered in the notification area. The identified mobile devices aresome of the mobile devices that may require a notification message to besent.

The notification server 110 determines, based on the content of thenotification request, the method by which the mobile devices are to besent the notification message. In the simplest case, the notificationserver 110 may determine that notification messages are to be sent toall of the mobile devices registered with the notification server 110regardless of current location. However, this method may overwhelm thenetwork because too many users are sent a notification messagesimultaneously. Usually, the notification server 110 is required toperform some type of location determination. The types of locationdetermination may be categorized as a low accuracy resolution or a highaccuracy resolution.

Low accuracy resolution location determination is performed based on thecontents of the notification request. The notification server 110queries the home location register 195 through the MPC 135 or the GMLC150 to identify the mobile devices associated with MSCs that servegeographic regions that that overlap the notification area. Thenotification server 110 then receives a list of cell identifiers of themobile devices registered with the MSCs that serve the notificationarea. The notification server 110 then sends notification messages tothe mobile devices corresponding to the cell identifiers in the list.Thus, notification messages are sent to the mobile devices in thenotification area and to the mobile devices outside of the notificationarea but within a region served by an MSC that also overlaps thenotification area.

High accuracy resolution location determination is performed in a waythat is similar to the low accuracy resolution location determination.As described above, the notification server 110 receives the list ofcell identifiers of the mobile devices that are currently registered inthe MSC regions that overlap the notification area. The notificationserver 110 matches the location of the mobile devices in the MSC regionsthat overlap the notification area to the polygon that defines theboundaries of the notification area. Thus, the mobile devices within thenotification area are identified. In some embodiments, the notificationarea is defined with a buffer area surrounding the polygon. For example,the buffer area may extend up to 40% beyond the perimeter of the polygonto compensate for any inaccuracies in the location determinationprocess. In this case, the high accuracy resolution locates the mobiledevices in the notification area and the mobile devices in the bufferarea. The notification server 110 then sends notification messages tothe mobile devices located by the high accuracy resolution. Thus,notification messages are sent to the mobile devices in the notificationarea and to the mobile devices in the buffer area.

In the high accuracy resolution, there are fewer mobile devices tolocate compared to the low accuracy resolution. As a result, fewercycles of SMS messaging are required in the high accuracy resolutioncase. This feature can prove beneficial in a major catastrophe when thephone system is overwhelmed. If a mass SMS message is sent to everymobile device located in a large geographic area (e.g., a zip code), thenetwork may not be able to handle the increased traffic. By targeting alimited number of mobile devices located in a small area using highaccuracy resolution, the strain exerted on the network is minimized.

FIG. 2 is a geographic illustration that shows the distribution ofmobile devices across an area (e.g., a city neighborhood) in regionsserved by an MSC (i.e., a cell sector) and a notification areaidentified by a notifying entity. Cell sectors 200, 225 each define anarea in which a number of mobile devices (205, 210, 215, 230 and255-280) are registered with an MSC serving that cell sector. Anotification area 250 defines an area which includes a subset of themobile devices in the cell sectors 200, 225. In some embodiments, thenotification area 250 is a polygon defined by the notifying entity. Asshown in the figure, the notification area 250 includes mobile devices255-280.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, adetermination is made to send a notification message to all of themobile devices in a large area (e.g., in the same zip code). Forexample, the notification server 110 determines whether to send thenotification message to mobile devices 205-245 and 255-280.Alternatively, the notification server 110 determines whether to sendnotification messages to only the mobile devices registered in cellsectors 200, 225 (i.e., low accuracy resolution), or to send anotification message to only the mobile devices located in thenotification area 250 (i.e., high accuracy resolution). Thedetermination may be made based on the type of notification request sentby the notifying agency 100 and/or depending on how the carrier hasconfigured the system to respond to the notification request. Lowaccuracy resolution is used when all of the mobile devices in the cellsectors 200, 225 are to be sent a notification message but the mobiledevices outside of the cell sectors 220, 225 are not to be sentnotification messages. High accuracy resolution is used when the cellsectors 200, 225 are deemed too large and all of the mobile devices inthe cell sectors 200, 225 need not be sent the notification message. Inother words, only the mobile devices located in the notification area250 are to be sent notification messages.

The notification server 110 initiates the high accuracy resolutionlocation of the mobile devices in the notification area 250. The mobiledevices in the notification area 250 periodically provide thenotification server 110 with their corresponding location. In someembodiments, the notification server 110 controls the pace at which themobile devices are located so as to not overwhelm the network. Thenotification server 110 then generates messages (e.g., via SMS oranother known text messaging method) for delivery to the mobile devices255-280 that are located in the notification area 250.

The notification server 110 is easily configurable such that a carriermay select how the notification messages are sent and how the network isarranged to distribute the notification messages. The notificationserver 110 is designed to authenticate that the notification request issubmitted by a lawfully authorized entity such that privacy protectionsare maintained. In some embodiments, the mobile devices include optionaluser controls to prevent disclosure of their location (i.e., a privacymode). In addition, the user can activate or deactivate the mobiledevice to identify its current location as understood by the networkinfrastructure or remain private. This is one way of indicating to theuser that their location is known to elements of the emergencynotification network. Other configurable features of the notificationserver 110 are described below.

In some embodiments, the notification messages to be sent to the mobiledevices 255-280 in the notification area 250 are placed in a queue inthe notification server 110. If the queue is not filled withnotification messages, the messages are streamed to the mobile devices255-280. If the queue is filled with notification messages, thenotification server 110 stores the messages to be sent until themessages in the queue are sent and the stored messages can betransferred to the queue for delivery. The number of messages that canbe stored in the queue may be configured by the carrier.

In some embodiments, some mobile devices are flagged in the notificationserver 110 to receive a notification message regardless of mobile devicelocation. For example, when the identifying information of that mobiledevice appears at the notification server 110 (e.g., because the mobiledevice is in the cell sector 200), the notification message will alwaysbe sent to that mobile device even though the mobile device may not belocated in the notification area 250. This feature is useful to usersthat have a heightened interest in events occurring in the notificationarea 250 (e.g., emergency personnel, building security, governmentemployees, royalty, etc.). In some embodiments, the notification server110 may be configured to send the notification messages in ahierarchical manner such that mobile devices associated with users whohave a heightened interest in events occurring in the notification area260 receive the notification messages before other users (i.e.,notification messages to be sent to these users are placed at the frontof the message queue).

In general, the mobile devices in the notification area 250 are providedwith a notification message to notify users of the event, whereas mobiledevices outside the notification area 250 are not sent notificationmessages. In some embodiments, however, the mobile devices locatedoutside of, but nearby, the notification area 250 (e.g., in a cellsector that overlaps the notification area 250) are sent messages thatare different than the notification messages sent to the mobile deviceswithin the notification area 250. For example, in a hostage crisis, themobile devices located within the notification area may be sent amessage that reads, “Exit the Acme Building from the north side.” Themobile devices located proximate to but outside of the notification areamay be sent a message that reads, “Do not enter the Acme Building or thetwo-block area surrounding the Acme Building.”Messages sent to themobile devices in the notification area can instruct users to assist lawenforcement. For example, a notification message might read, “If you arein the Acme Building and can safely take a photograph of any allegedperpetrators with this mobile device, forward the photograph to(123)555-1234.” Furthermore, law enforcement could use high accuracylocation determination to identify the mobile devices within a givenarea. For example, law enforcement can identify which users are in abuilding. The periodic location updates would also allow law enforcementto detect the movement of those users. This feature is helpful forcompliance with policies of the commission on accreditation for lawenforcement agencies (CALEA).

The notification server 110 is capable of alerting potential recipientsin a staggered method to reduce network impact. The notification server110 typically bases the staggered method on the size of the notificationarea and the number of users relative to network capacity or operatingcharacteristics (e.g., load balancing). For example, a staggereddelivery algorithm would generate notification messages in anotification area at a frequency and rate based on the size of thenotification area and the number of users to be notified. A largenotification area (e.g., an entire city) requires tighter control onmessages per second while a small notification area (e.g., a city block,a rural area) may allow a notification message to be sent to all mobiledevices in the notification area at the same time.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing mobiledevice location information to a notification server. At step 300, themobile device registers with the notification server by executing anapplication stored on the mobile device. The mobile device also providesits location to the notification server.

At step 310, the notification server downloads an algorithm to themobile device. The algorithm instructs the mobile device to providelocation updates to the notification server. The algorithm indicates howoften the location updates are provided to the notification server.

At step 320, the mobile device executes the algorithm to determine itslocation by a location determination method indicated in the algorithmand provides the corresponding location data to the notification server.At step 330, the notification server stores the location data andinformation about the corresponding mobile device in a spatial database.

At step 340, after a predetermined amount of time, processing returns tostep 320 where the mobile device provides a location update to thenotification server. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount oftime is configured by the carrier. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of time may be set at a static duration (e.g.,every two hours). In other embodiments, the predetermined amount of timemay be dynamic (e.g., every time the mobile device enters a regionserved by a different MSC). As is apparent from the above description,the mobile device periodically provides location updates to thenotification server. Thus, the notification server maintains currentlocation information for the mobile device.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for sending notificationmessages to users of a wireless system. At step 400, the notifyingentity sends a notification request to the notification server. Thenotifying entity is any lawfully authorized client that seeks to send anotification message to a group of mobile devices. The notifying entitymay send a notification request in response to an event of which usersare to be notified. In some embodiments, the notification request is aCAP message that allows a warning message to be consistentlydisseminated simultaneously over many warning systems to manyapplications. The notification request may include the content of thenotification, a definition of the notification area, and an urgencylevel of the notification request. The definition of the notificationarea may be a polygon which defines the geographic boundary of thenotification area.

At step 410, a determination is made whether the location of the mobiledevices to be sent the notification message is to be made with highaccuracy resolution. The location determination method to be performedmay be predetermined by the algorithm. The carrier or the notifyingentity may provide instructions regarding the configuration of thealgorithm such that the algorithm can be updated to accommodatedifferent situations. If the location of the mobile devices to be sentthe notification message is to be made with high accuracy resolution,processing proceeds to step 460. Otherwise, processing proceeds to step420.

At step 420, a determination is made whether the location of the mobiledevices to be sent the notification message is to be made with lowaccuracy resolution. If the location of the mobile devices to be sentthe notification message is to be made with low accuracy resolution,processing proceeds to step 440. Otherwise, processing proceeds to step430, where the notification message is sent to all of the mobile devicescurrently registered with the notification server. Thus, thenotification message is widely disseminated to a potentially largenumber of mobile devices located across a potentially large geographicarea.

At step 440, in accordance with low accuracy resolution determination,the notification server identifies the mobile devices that are locatedin cell sectors served by MSCs that overlap the notification area. Thenotification server determines the current location of the mobiledevices by accessing the spatial database. The notification server thenmaps those locations to the definition of the notification area. Anymobile devices that are currently located in cell sectors that overlapthe notification area are identified to receive a notification message.

At step 450, the notification server sends a notification message to themobile devices that are located in the cell sectors that overlap thenotification area. Thus, the notification message is sent to the mobiledevices in the notification area and to mobile devices served by thesame MSCs as the mobile devices in the notification area.

At step 460, in accordance with high accuracy resolution determination,the notification server identifies the mobile devices that are locatedin the notification area by mapping the mobile device locations in thespatial database to the definition of the notification area in thenotification request. In some embodiments, the notification area isdefined with a buffer area. For example, the buffer area may extend upto 40% beyond the perimeter of the notification area. Thus, mobiledevices are located in the notification area and the buffer area.

At step 470, the notification server sends a notification message to themobile devices that are located in the notification area. In someembodiments, the notification message is also sent to the mobile devicesin the buffer area.

At optional step 480, the notification server sends a differentnotification message to the mobile devices that are located proximate tobut outside of the notification area. The mobile devices proximate tothe notification area may be located in a cell sector that overlaps thenotification area or in the buffer area. The different notificationmessage sent to these mobile devices may describe the event occurring inthe notification area as a warning to not enter the notification area.Processing then terminates.

FIG. 5 is a signal call chart illustrating a method for sendingnotification messages to users of a wireless system in accordance with anotification server configured to determine mobile device location inaccordance with a basic resolution. A public safety answering point(PSAP) or government agency sets up a connection with the notificationserver and then sends a CAP message (500). The notification server corereceives the CAP message and matches a notification area (e.g., apolygon) identified in the CAP message to MSC areas via a spatial queryto a database (510). The database may be included within thenotification server, or may be an external database coupled to thenotification server. The database returns a list of mobile subscribersthat are or have been registered in the MSC areas serving thenotification area to a message queue (520) and to the notificationserver core (530). A timer decides the number of messages to send at atime, and the MSCs to which the messages are sent. Based on the locationinformation in the CAP message, the notification server core identifieswhich MSCs are in that location such that notification messages can besent to the mobile devices in those MSCs. The notification messages areformatted and put into a queue (540). The queue sends the list of mobiledevices and the notification messages to be sent to a message deliverysystem (e.g., SMSC, MMSC, MAG, etc.) (550). The message delivery systemthen delivers the notification messages to the mobile devices (560).Successful delivery of the notification messages is acknowledged to thenotification server core (570) and the PSAP (580).

FIG. 6 is a signal call chart illustrating a method for sendingnotification messages to users of a wireless system in accordance with anotification server configured to determine mobile device location inaccordance with a low accuracy resolution. A PSAP sends a CAP message tothe notification server (600). The CAP message identifies a notificationarea. The notification server core receives the CAP message. Thenotification server core matches a location identified in the CAPmessage to MSC areas via a spatial query to a database (605). Thedatabase returns a list of mobile subscribers that are or have beenregistered in the MSC areas serving the notification area to a messagequeue (610) and to the notification server core (615). The notificationserver core also queries a GMLC (in a GSM network) or an MPC (in a CDMAnetwork) for a location using the notification area from the CAP message(620). The GMLC or the MPC queries an HLR through an L_(h) interface toidentify the mobile devices located in the MSCs that serve thenotification area (625). The HLR responds to the GMLC/MPC withidentifiers for the mobile devices (i.e., cell ids) registered with theMSCs that server the notification area (630). The cell ids are thenprovided to the queue (635). A list of mobile devices corresponding tothe cell ids are provided to the notification server core to identifythe mobile devices in the notification area (640). A timer decides thenumber of messages to send at a time, and the MSC to which the messagesare sent. The notification messages are formatted and put into the queue(645). The queue sends the list of the mobile devices and thenotification messages to be sent to the message delivery system (650).The message delivery system then delivers the notification messages tothe mobile devices (655). Successful delivery of the notificationmessages is acknowledged to the notification server core (660) and thePSAP (665).

FIG. 7 is a signal call chart illustrating a method for sendingnotification messages to users of a wireless system in accordance with anotification server configured to determine mobile device location inaccordance with a high accuracy resolution. A PSAP sends a CAP messageto the notification server (700). The CAP message identifies anotification area. The notification server core receives the CAPmessage. The notification server core matches a location identified inthe CAP message to MSC areas via a spatial query to a database (705).The database returns a list of mobile subscribers that are or have beenregistered with the MSCs that serve the notification area to a messagequeue (710) and to the notification server core (715). The notificationserver core also queries the GMLC/MPC for a location using thenotification area from the CAP message (720). The GMLC/MPC queries theHLR through an L_(h) interface to identify the mobile devices currentlyregistered with the MSCs that serve the notification area (725). The HLRresponds to the GMLC/MPC with cell ids of the mobile devices registeredwith the MSCs that serve the notification area (730). The cell ids arethen provided to the queue (735). The list of mobile devicescorresponding to the cell ids are provided to the notification servercore to identify the mobile devices located in the notification area(740).

The notification server core matches the list of the mobile devices tothe notification area (e.g., the polygon) and, in some cases, a bufferarea used for a location error rate to determine the list of mobiledevices to send notification messages, and the number and order oflocation requests to be performed at a time. Thus, the notificationserver core decides a possible range of mobile devices to notify and thenumber of mobile devices to notify at a time. This information isprovided to the queue (745). The queue then begins sending the locationrequests to the GMLC/MPC (745) and to each identified mobile device(750). An assisted GPS session begins in accordance with regular networkinitiated location standards. The mobile devices return their locationto the queue (755). The queue provides the locations to notificationserver core (760). The queue manages the incoming data so as to notoverload the network. The notification server core matches the mobiledevices to the polygon and identifies the mobile devices to notify.

The timer decides the number of messages to send at a time, and the MSCto which the messages are sent. The notification messages are formattedand put into the queue (765). The queue sends the list of the mobiledevices and the notification messages to be sent to the message deliverysystem (770). The message delivery system then delivers the notificationmessages to the mobile devices (775). Successful delivery of thenotification messages is acknowledged to the notification server core(780) and the PSAP (785).

As is apparent from the above description, in the high accuracyresolution, there are fewer mobile devices to locate compared to the lowaccuracy resolution. As a result, fewer cycles of SMS messaging arerequired in the high accuracy resolution case. This feature can provebeneficial in a major catastrophe when the phone system is overwhelmed.If a mass SMS message is sent to every mobile device located in a largegeographic area (e.g., a zip code), the network may not be able tohandle the increased traffic. By targeting a limited number of mobiledevices located in a small area using high accuracy resolution, thestrain exerted on the network is minimized.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, theembodiments illustrated above may be modified, altered, and changedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope ofthe present invention is defined by the appended claims.

1. A method for notifying a group of wireless device users of an event,the method comprising: for each of a plurality of wireless devices,accessing a set of instructions that act to control a location updatingprocess for the wireless device; obtaining location data for thewireless device in accordance with the set of instructions; providingthe location data to a notification server; and storing the locationdata in a spatial database, wherein the spatial database associates thelocation data with a geographic region; receiving a request and adescription of a geographic area in which a notification messageassociated with the request is to be distributed, wherein the geographicarea comprises at least a portion of at least one geographic region;mapping the description of the geographic area to the plurality ofwireless devices using the location data stored in the spatial database,wherein the mapping identifies the location of the wireless devicesrelative to the geographic area, at least one of the wireless devicesbeing identified as being located within the geographic area; andissuing the notification message to each wireless device identified asbeing located within the geographic area.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising: for each of the plurality of wireless devices:periodically obtaining updated location data for the wireless device;providing the updated location data to the notification server; andstoring the updated location data in the spatial database, wherein theupdated location data replaces the previously stored location data. 3.The method of claim 2 further comprising: tracking the location of thewireless device based on the updated location data.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: defining the description of a geographicarea in which the notification message is to be distributed.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a subsequent request anda corresponding description of a geographic area; and updating the setof instructions based on the subsequent request.
 6. The method of claim1 further comprising: issuing the notification message to each wirelessdevice located proximate to but not within the geographic area.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: issuing a different notificationmessage to each wireless device located proximate to but not within thegeographic area.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein issuing thenotification message comprises sending an SMS message.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: authenticating the request.
 10. The methodof claim 1 wherein issuing the notification message to each wirelessdevice comprises sending the notification message to the wirelessdevices identified as having priority over other wireless devices. 11.The method of claim 1 further comprising: issuing the notificationmessage to a wireless device regardless of the location of the wireless,wherein the wireless device is identified to always receive thenotification message.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein issuing thenotification message to each wireless device comprises issuing thenotification messages based on the size of the geographic area and thenumber of wireless devices to receive the notification message.
 13. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising, in response to user activation,providing the location of the user's mobile device as identified by thenotification server to the mobile device.
 14. A notification serverconfigured to: receive a request and a description of a geographic areain which a notification message associated with the request is to bedistributed, wherein the geographic area comprises at least a portion ofat least one geographic region; compare the description of thegeographic area to a plurality of mobile devices using location dataassociated with each mobile device, wherein the comparison identifiesthe location of the mobile devices relative to the geographic area, atleast one mobile device being identified as being located within thegeographic area; and issue the notification message to each mobiledevice identified as being located within the geographic area.
 15. Thenotification server of claim 14 further configured to: provide analgorithm for controlling a location updating process to each mobiledevice; and receive the location data from each mobile device, whereinthe location data is obtained in accordance with the algorithm.
 16. Thenotification server of claim 14 further configured to: store thelocation data in a database, wherein the database associates thelocation data with a geographic region.
 17. The notification server ofclaim 16 further configured to: periodically receive updated locationdata for the mobile device; and store the updated location data in thedatabase, wherein the updated location data replaces the previouslystored location data.
 18. The notification server of claim 17 furtherconfigured to: track the location of the mobile device based on theupdated location data.
 19. The notification server of claim 14 furtherconfigured to: update the algorithm.
 20. The notification server ofclaim 14 further configured to: authenticate the request.
 21. A systemfor notifying a group of wireless device users of an event, the systemcomprising: means for receiving a request and a description of ageographic area in which a notification message associated with therequest is to be distributed, wherein the geographic area comprises atleast a portion of at least one geographic region; means for mapping thedescription of the geographic area to a plurality of wireless devicesusing location data associated with each wireless device, wherein themapping identifies the location of each wireless device relative to thegeographic area, at least one of the wireless devices being identifiedas being located within the geographic area; and means for issuing thenotification message to each wireless device identified as being locatedwithin the geographic area.